News: Daejeon Citizen Appoint Ko Jongsoo as New Manager

Daejeon Citizen today appointed Suwon Bluewings coach and former Purples midfielder Ko Jongsoo as their new manager.

Despite some confusion surrounding what was believed to be Lee Kibeom's appointment as Daejeon Citizen manager, CEO Kim Ho revealed earlier this week that the Purples hadn't yet concluded their search for a new first team manager.

However, as was suggested in the national media, although Kim Ho had been casting the net far and wide, the former Korea Republic manager was looking to appoint a former player whom he had worked alongside at Suwon Bluewings with 39-year-old Ko Jongsoo emerging as the lead candidate.

Ko, who will become Daejeon's 11th permanent manager, was in Brazil on a scouting mission for Suwon Bluewings but made a quick return to Korea to begin negotiations with his former boss and newly appointed Daejeon Citizen CEO Kim Ho.

As a coach, Ko has been with Suwon Bluewings since 2011 where he has worked as a first team coach as well as manager of the under 18 team.

In his playing days, the former midfielder began his career at Suwon Bluewings in 1996 where he spent seven seasons, winning the K League title twice, one FA Cup, four League Cups, two Super Cups, two AFC Champions Leagues, two Asian Super Cups and an A3 Asian Super Cup before departing for J League 1 side Kyoto Purple Sanga.

After a season in Japan Ko returned to Suwon before joining Jeonnam Dragons in 2005 and, after a short hiatus from football, Ko joined Daejeon Citizen where he finished his career.

Ko also represented his country on 38 occasions and rose to prominence in the 1998 World Cup in France.